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Greater Sudbury celebrates new affordable housing

SUDBURY, ON, Jan. 12 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada, the Government of Ontario, and the City of Greater Sudbury today celebrated the opening of 20 new affordable rental units. The project is supported by more than $827,000 in funding through the Canada-Ontario Affordable Housing Program.

The Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC); the Honourable Rick Bartolucci, Member of Provincial Parliament for Sudbury and Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services, on behalf of the Honourable John Gerretsen, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, and Minister of the Environment; John Rodriguez, Mayor of the City of Greater Sudbury; and Tullio Ricci, President of the Board of Directors of Capreol Non-Profit Housing Corporation, made the announcement today.

"The Government of Canada is investing in affordable housing in Ontario and across Canada to create jobs and give a hand-up to those who need it the most," said Minister Finley. "These new rental units in Capreol will provide access to suitable, affordable housing for low-income seniors."

"The McGuinty government knows that providing affordable housing is one of the most important ways we can help the most vulnerable among our citizens," said Minister Bartolucci. "The 20 new units we are celebrating today will make a positive difference in the lives of the senior citizens who will call them home."

The 20-unit project at 36 Coulson Street in Capreol is sponsored by the Capreol Non-Profit Housing Corporation, and received more than $827,000 under the Canada-Ontario Affordable Housing Program.

The federal and provincial funding is complemented by $577,256 in municipal financial incentives.

"Safe and affordable housing is a priority for this city," said John Rodriguez, Mayor of Greater Sudbury. "These units will allow seniors to remain in their own neighbourhood and help to revitalize the Capreol community."

The Canada-Ontario Affordable Housing Program Agreement, comprises a commitment of $301 million from each of the two senior levels of government. In total, the federal, provincial and municipal governments will invest at least $734 million in the program, which will provide affordable housing for up to 20,000 households in Ontario.

Last fall, the Government of Canada committed more than $1.9 billion over the next five years to improve and build new affordable housing and to help the homeless. Canada's Economic Action Plan builds on this with an additional one-time investment of more than $2 billion over two years in new and existing social housing and lending of up to another $2 billion to municipalities for housing-related infrastructure. Combined for Ontario, this means a further $1.2-billion joint investment under the amended Canada-Ontario Affordable Housing Program Agreement. The federal and provincial governments are contributing equally to this overall investment.

Ontario is moving quickly to implement this additional funding. The province has already approved more than $224 million for construction-ready projects, which will improve access to affordable housing for low-income families, seniors and persons with disabilities across the province. It will also create jobs and strengthen local economies. To find out more about affordable housing in Ontario, visit www.mah.gov.on.ca.

To find out more about how the Government of Canada and CMHC are working to build stronger homes and communities for all Canadians, call CMHC at 1-800-668-2642 or visit www.cmhc.ca/housingactionplan. For more information on Canada's Economic Action Plan, call 1-800-O Canada or visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.